Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge is a 1987 American Western television film based on the 20-year (1955–1975) series Gunsmoke starring James Arness. Subsequent TV movies are Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990), Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992), Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993), and Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994), none of which are set in Dodge, nor do they share any cast members from the TV series other than Arness. Plot Retired U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, now a fur trapper, is attacked on a riverbank by a group of men trying to steal his rifle and furs. Dillon is stabbed in the back and drifts down the river in the canoe until he is found by a wagon and taken to Dodge City, Kansas. Everybody recognizes the beloved former lawman and he is nursed back to health. After three weeks of recovery, Dillon awakens to Miss Kitty, former saloon owner who has returned to Dodge from New Orleans on news that her old flame Dillon was dying. Meanwhile, in the territorial prison, after doing twelve years, notorious gunslinger Will Mannon is lashed one last time before release. He vows revenge on the men who sent him there: the judge and the marshal, Matt Dillon. Overhearing his plans, fellow convict Jake Flagg takes it upon himself to warn Marshal Dillon, an old friend. After Mannon is released, Flagg takes the prison warden hostage, to escape and track down Mannon. Unfortunately the warden tries to break free from Flagg, who was about to let him go free, and is wounded in the process. Flagg has no choice but to leave the disabled warden as he will be shortly found by the pursuing prison guards. After Flagg leaves, Mannon arrives and shoots the warden, knowing Flagg will be blamed for the murder. Later, Mannon finds the judge fishing on a river and murders him too. He makes for Dodge to find the marshal. In Dodge City an inexperienced young cavalry officer, Lt. Dexter, meets Dillon at the saloon and announces a reward for the capture of escaped felon and murderer, Jake Flagg. Lt. Dexter intends to bring Flagg to justice without help from his cavalry troop. Dillon knows Flagg is no murderer and goes to find him before the foolhardy officer gets himself killed trying to capture Flagg. Flagg arrives at an Indian camp and joyfully greets his wife, Little Doe, and daughter, Bright Water.